The Luxury Hotel Insider

The Luxury Hotel Insider:Exclusive luxury hotel deals, features and special rates from the luxury hotel experts at Five Star Alliance.

Named one of Tripbase's Best Luxury Travel Blogs for 2011, below are Five Star Alliance's newest articles featuring exclusive information on luxury hotels worldwide including special offers and deals at the world's best hotels.

Open from April until October, The Fairmont Monte Carlo offers the exclusive Nikki Beach by the pool experience on the 7th floor for a moment of pure escape and pleasure under the heat of the Monaco sun. Each day, from breakfast (7 am) until long after the sun has gone down, celebrities, VIPs and true yacht lovers flock to Nikki Beach to enjoy the music spun by Nikki Beach's world renowned Resident DJs facing the magnificent Riviera.

Located in the heart of Monaco, the roof-top pool, heated at 30°C, has spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea, Monte-Carlo's Belle Epoque Opera and Casino, and the celebrated Fairmont Monte Carlo Grand Prix hairpin curve.

Sun beds are exclusively reserved to hotel guests. Love seats, double beds, and Opium beds can be reserved for a cost.

The transformed Market Cafe at The Loews Coronado Bay Resort and Spa offers a whimsical design
inspired by its unique waterfront location, taking full advantage of the stunning marina views. The culinary
team has reimagined the menu to include dishes that showcase the culinary variety of Southern California
along with familiar favorites to satisfy every appetite. Market offers both indoor and outdoor dining for breakfast,
lunch, or dinner.

The unique setting of Excelsior Palace Hotel Rapallo, facing the bay of Rapallo (Italian Riviera) to the east and the headland of Portofino to the west, has inspired a return to the elegance of the early 1900s, when the international beau monde gathered here.

Refined and comfortable ambiences reflect the warm colours of the sun and sea of Rapallo and the Portofino Coast. The guest rooms and suites look out onto one of the literature's most celebrated panoramas, the Gulf of Tigullio. The Hall stands out for paintings, prints, and furniture which all are authentic antiques.A splendid setting for weekends and vacationing, Excelsior Palace Hotel five-star luxury hotel Rapallo devotes special attention to lovers of relaxation and of excellence, offering a Beach Club with terraces on the sea, individual cabanas and a panoramic swimming pool, in addition to an exclusive wellness centre, an oasis of pure pleasure for personalised treatments, gym and an indoor pool with a sea view.

Classic Rooms (pictured right)-Attractive and comfortable, with elegant furnishings that often recall the colours of the sea, the Classic Double Rooms of the Excelsior Palace Hotel in Rapallo are ideal for those who feel the need for comfort and luxury, but no great additional space. Approx. 22 square meters.

Superior Rooms-Pretty rooms located in various points of the building, spacious and well-lighted, may offer a view of the open sea or a partial view of the Tigullio's Gulf. Some have a small external space – a balcony – while others, more spacious, are also suitable for accommodating three people. Approx. 28 square meters

Exclusive Rooms-The Exclusive rooms category feature balconies and a view of the sea of Portofino or Rapallo view. Some are connected with Superior category rooms. The wi-fi connection is free of charge. Approx. 35 square meters.

Here are the suite choices available to guests:

Suites offer spectacular panoramas and enchanting terraces, luminous rooms, and elegant furnishings, beds that are the utmost in comfort. A stay in a suite offers a unique chance to experience a special vacation. Warm sun and sea colours tinge the furnishings of the comfortable, spacious rooms, places of quiet, pleasant relaxation. The windows open onto picturesque landscapes that lift the spirits and stimulate the fantasy. Among the services present in the suites are a lock with electronic key, individually controlled heat and air conditioning, double telephone with a direct outside line, stereo, satellite TV and pay TV, individual safe, a well-stocked mini bar, open bar with choice of liquors, Internet connection, Jacuzzi bathtub and separate shower box, telephone, hair dryer, bathrobes and slippers.

Classic Suites-These suites enjoy privileged positions, with a lovely view of the Gulf of Portofino. Terraces or furnished balconies make a stay in this luxury five-star truly one of a kind. All Suites are very roomy, divided between a spacious bedroom and a bright living area, furnished with elegant and ancient furniture. All Suites offer internet connection and open bar with choice of liqueurs. Most of the Suites are connecting with either a Deluxe or a Superior Double Room. Starting from approximately 50 square meters.

Junior Suites-Recently redecorated, all the Junior Suites of the Excelsior Palace Hotel have a spacious bow window instead of balcony to afford guests a sweeping view over the sea and the Gulf of Portofino. Their main characteristic is that there's no separation between the large bedroom and the sitting room, with parquet pavement. All Junior Suites offer the internet connection. Most of the Junior Suites can connect with either a Deluxe or a Superior Double Room. Starting from approximately 50 square meters.

Deluxe Suites-The two luxurious Deluxe Suites are located at the sixth floor and have a terrific view on the Portofino Coast and on the Rapallo marina. With elegant decoration and antique store high quality furniture, all authentic prints and paintings, the Deluxe Suites are provided with an outdoor sea view space. One Deluxe Suite is equipped with a brand new Jacuzzi City spa on the terrace. All Suites offer internet connection and open bar with choice of liqueurs. These Suites are connecting with double rooms. Starting from approximately 60 square meters.

Relax Suite (pictured left)-The Relax Suite offers a private Sauna where you can pamper and relax yourselves with a terrific view on the Portofino Coast from the seventh and last floor of the hotel, which will become an all suite floor. Furthermore, the magnificient terrace is equipped with a Jacuzzi City spa to enhance its wellness offer. The Relax Suite can be interconnected with the Presidential Suite.

Presidential Suite-Located on the seventh and top floor, with a superb view of the sea, the fascinating Presidential Suite features exquisitely elegant furnishings. The refined and elegant living room, with a desk corner, opens onto a spacious terrace, spectacular with its sweeping panorama from the Bay of Rapallo and its famed tourist harbour to the Portofino lighthouse, for a total view of the Gulf. The terrace, equipped with awnings, recliners, sofas and armchairs, is perfect for celebrating special occasions or simply relaxing in total privacy, in tune with the style of refined, discreet elegance that is a hallmark of the hotel. This oustanding space is provided with a brand new Jacuzzi City spa. Inside the Suite, in addition to the living room, a large bedroom, two cloakrooms, parquet floor, air-conditioning, four direct dial phones, private safety box, two TV;s with satellite channels, pay TV, VRC, stereo, minibar, and open bar with choice of liquors. Two bathrooms, the more spacious one offers double basins, corner Jacuzzi bathtub for relaxing pause of wellness, separate shower box, and separate toilet. The Presidential Suite, in addition to the Main Room with a living room, includes two spacious and bright Deluxe Exclusive Rooms with respective bathrooms, both overlooking the terrace. This Suite offers an internet connection. The suite is 130 square meters with a 150 square meter terrace.

Happy Fat Tuesday everyone! Hotel Monteleoneis the perfect Mardi Gras hotel in New Orleans, just steps from the Uptown parade route on Canal Street. This New Orleans hotel that has been a French Quarter icon for more than a century. Hotel Monteleone boasts 600 luxurious guest rooms, including 55 luxury suites and literary author suites. The new Criollo Restaurant and famous Carousel Bar & Lounge offer our guests the best in New Orleans dining and nightlife. Hotel Monteleone provides the best luxury hotel amenities, including a heated rooftop pool, 24/7 fitness center, and valet parking. Hotel Monteleone also offers 24/7 In-Room Dining and a Grab-n-Go Breakfast in the Lobby Lounge.

After catching the parade and merriment on Canal Street, retreat to the world-famous Carousel Bar for a Sazerac, Vieux Carre, De La Louisane, or other historic Big Easy libations.

In 1984, The Heathman Hotel was the first luxury, art dedicated, boutique hotel to open in Portland. The Heathman has an outstanding collection that features a well-balanced and beautiful mix of historic, modern and contemporary art. Personally curated by Elizabeth Leach, from the Pearl District distinct gallery of the same name, the Heathman’s Fine Art Suite exhibits the most influential and stunning art in the collection. These works include a phenomenal light installation by Portland born Hap Tivey, a sensational abstract relief painting by local artists Joe Thurston and two unique pieces by internationally renowned artist and film maker Gus Van Sant. Your support, as a portion of your room revenue will be donated, assists the multitude of non-profit organizations across the city of Portland.

Toronto’s International Film Festival is upon us, and with that comes an influx of movie stars and luxury hotels pulling out all the stops for its guests. The Trump International Hotel and Tower Toronto received quite a bit of hype since it’s the new kid on the block that opened last January, but the Hazelton Hotel took it to a completely new level with its $99,900 bed installation. The Vividus (yes, the bed has a name), is made with Arctic Circle forest-sourced pine, hand-laid springs, and a “carefully balanced blend of hand-teased horsehair, cotton, wool and flax.” Want to experience the most comfortable bed in the world for yourself? Make your reservations at the Hazelton Hotel here!

Prepare yourselves for the massive Food & Wine Festival to be hosted by the Langham Hong Kong this year from September 13th - 23rd, 2012. The festival will feature award winning wineries, world-class chefs, and renowned industry aficionados. Foodies will be able to learn some new techniques through master classes taught by Michelin starred international chefs. If you’re more of an eater and drinker than a cooker, then sample from the buffet of dishes or attend a rum appreciation class.

We can’t think of a better place to celebrate our country’s Independence Day than our nation’s capital! Take advantage of the mid-week holiday by taking an extra-long weekend to explore and take in everything DC has to offer. With 37 luxury hotels located in various parts of the city, Washington DC certainly has the perfect hotel for your individual stay. Take advantage of the free Smithsonian Folk Life Festival which celebrates unique cultures with music, food, demonstrations, and more on the National Mall as well as the patriotic programs put on at the National Archives, the National Cathedral, and the Smithsonian Museums. For more information about the happenings in Washington DC, check out washington.org. Explore the various hotel options and make your reservations in Washington DC to ensure you’re in on all the action this Fourth of July!

The National Cherry Blossom Festival is approaching full bloom here in Washington, DC, and we simply cannot wait for all of the events and activities in store. In 1912, 3,000 cherry blossom trees were given as gifts to Washington, DC from Tokyo, Japan. A century later, the National Cherry Blossom Festival is gearing up for its upcoming festivities, celebrating international companionship and the beauty of nature. This is the 100th anniversary of the cherry blossoms, and the District of Columbia is certainly going all out with its events. Be sure to make your luxury hotel reservations and take part in all of the excitement in our nation’s capital!

The National Cherry Blossom Festival goes from March 20th – April 27th, 2012. A few must-check-out events include the Blossom Kite Festival on March 31st, the Southwest Waterfront Fireworks Festival on April 7th, the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade on April 14th, and Jazz at the Jefferson on April 19th. For more information on these events, visit the official National Cherry Blossom Festival Events page.

For accommodations, we encourage you to explore the 37 luxury hotels we have in the Washington, DC area. If you’re hoping to be located on or near the National Mall and in the heart of all the action, be sure to take advantage of and explore the list of options available to you here!